The Milwaukee brace, developed in 1946, was the first removable orthosis used to treat idiopathic scoliosis. While this orthosis is still a key compo-nent of orthotist education programs, most orthotists do not work with these orthoses regularly. In fact, the average orthotist spends only 0.2 percent of their time providing Milwaukee braces. Although the underlying biomechanical principles that lead to the effectiveness of the Milwaukee brace have not changed, the advancement of scanning technology, the improved understanding of the tri-planar nature of scoliosis, and the greater focus on patient compliance have influenced both brace design and practice trends.

These advancements raise the following questions: What orthoses are most frequently provided for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)? Have orthotists who treat scoliosis identified any changes in treatment protocols?